Wine Fest Returns to Pittsburgh

Organizers of the Pittsburgh wine festival hope to double the amount of money they raise for the UPMC cancer institute this year. Last year the week-long fest raised a million dollars for the center and Wine Fest President Ed Harrell says this year they have expanded and hope to raise 2 million. Harrell says last year much of the money was raised at a dinner in a private home and they now have seven of those dinners on the slate. Harrell says there is also an auction that will bring thousands of dollars. The week culminates with the grand tasting at Heinz field Thursday with more than 500 wines from 170 wineries representing 18 countries. This year’s featured chef is Lidia Bastianich. She owns Lidia’s restaurant in the strip and is internationally known for her cookbooks and TV shows.